Illuminating transaction card

ABSTRACT

A transaction card is described that includes a first print layer, a second print layer, an antenna inlay layer, and a light-emitting element. At least one of the first print layer and the second print layer has a transparent portion through which light transmits. The antenna inlay layer has a loop antenna disposed thereon. The light-emitting element has a two-dimensional form factor and is positioned between the antenna inlay layer and one of the first print layer and the second print layer. The transaction card includes wireless power receiver circuitry that receives a wireless signal via the loop antenna and induces a voltage across terminals of the light-emitting element, causing the light-emitting element to illuminate and emit light through the transparent portion.

BACKGROUND

Transaction cards are used for payments in a wide variety of situations.For transaction accounts targeting various consumer markets, such astechnology-focused and luxury markets, companies may offer transactioncards having non-traditional designs. However, non-traditional designsare limited as transaction cards have various constraints, such as sizerestrictions, magnetic strip positioning limitations, standardsrequirements, etc., such that the transaction cards are capable of beingutilized using widely-available and standard reader devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a transaction card in a non-illuminatedstate according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a transaction card in an illuminated stateaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of one example arrangement of thetransaction card.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of one example arrangement of a portionof the transaction card.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of one example arrangement of thetransaction card.

FIG. 6 depicts one example arrangement of antennae and a light-emittingelement of the transaction card.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of one example arrangement of antennae and alight-emitting element of the transaction card.

FIG. 8 depicts a rear view of one example arrangement of antennae and alight-emitting element of the transaction card.

FIG. 9 depicts various approaches for forming a light-emitting elementof the transaction card.

FIG. 10 depicts one example arrangement of antennae and a light-emittingelement of the transaction card.

FIG. 11 depicts one example arrangement of antennae and light-emittingelements of the transaction card.

FIG. 12 depicts one example arrangement of antennae and light-emittingelements of the transaction card.

FIG. 13 depicts one example arrangement of antennae and a processingchip of the transaction card.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that provides an example of the process formanufacturing a transaction card according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure

FIG. 15 depict examples of a sheets used in the manufacturing processdescribed by the flowchart of FIG. 13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are various approaches for creating an illuminatingtransaction card. In some approaches, a transaction card includes afirst print layer and a second print layer. At least one of the firstprint layer and the second print layer includes a transparent ortranslucent portion through which light is able to transmit. Thetransaction card further includes an antenna inlay layer having one ormore antennae disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the antennaeinclude a loop antenna. A light-emitting element is disposed orotherwise positioned between the antenna inlay layer and one of thefirst print layer and the second print layer, such that thelight-emitting element is positioned proximate to the transparentportion.

The transaction card further includes wireless power receiver circuitrycoupled to the light-emitting element and the loop antenna. In someapproaches, the wireless power circuitry is configured to receive awireless signal via the loop antenna and induce a voltage acrossterminals of the light-emitting element, thereby causing thelight-emitting element to illuminate and light to emit through thetransparent portion. The wireless signal can be an oscillating magneticfield emitted by a transaction card reader device or similar wirelesssignal.

In accordance with various approaches, the light-emitting element is asingle light-emitting diode (LED), a plurality of light-emitting diodes(LEDs), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, a printeddispersion of LEDs, or any combination thereof. In some examples, thelight-emitting element is one or more printed micro light-emitting diode(microLED) regions. Moreover, the light-emitting element can have atwo-dimensional form factor, as will be described.

In the following discussion, a general description of an illuminatingtransaction card and a method for manufacturing the same is provided.Although the following discussion provides illustrative examples of thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of the followingillustrative examples does not exclude other implementations that areconsistent with the principals disclosed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an example of a transaction card 100 that isassembled according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.The transaction card 100 can include an illuminating region 103 thatilluminates when the transaction card 100 receives a sufficient wirelesssignal capable of powering one or more light-emitting elements of thetransaction card 100, which is referred to herein in the singular as alight-emitting element for explanatory purposes.

Notably, FIG. 1 shows the transaction card 100 in a non-illuminatedstate, and FIG. 2 shows the transaction card 100 in an illuminatedstate. In some examples, when the transaction card 100 is placedproximate to a reader device 106, the reader device 106 can emit awireless power signal sufficient to illuminate the light-emitting diode.For instance, the reader device 106 can generate an oscillating magneticfield. The reader device 106 can include a contactless payment terminal,for example.

As such, it is understood that the wireless power signal can be emittedvia near-field communication (NFC) and/or radio-frequency identification(RFID) technologies. In additional approaches, when the transaction card100 is placed relative to a smartphone or other electrical device havinga wireless power transmitter, or is placed in a wireless power regioncreated by a wireless power transmitter, the transaction card 100 canreceive a wireless power signal sufficient to cause the light-emittingelement to illuminate and perform other transaction-related functions.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of one example arrangement of thetransaction card 100. Generally, the transaction card 100 can include afirst print layer 109, a second print layer 112, an antenna inlay layer115, a first laminate overlay layer 118, and a second laminate overlaylayer 121, and a light-emitting element 124. The light-emitting element124 can include one or more light-emitting elements 124 as can beappreciated, where the one or more light-emitting elements 124 arereferred to herein in the singular as a light-emitting element 124 forexplanatory purposes. In some approaches, the transaction card 100further includes a post-laminate varnish layer 127 and a processing chip130. The post-laminate varnish layer 127, the first laminate overlaylayer 118, and/or the second laminate overlay layer 121 can betransparent or translucent.

The first print layer 109 and the second print layer 112 can be formedby printing or otherwise disposing ink or other colored item on thelayer, thereby creating a transaction card 100 having a certainappearance. At least one of the first print layer 109 and the secondprint layer 112 can include one or more transparent portions 133 throughwhich light transmits, where the one or more transparent portions 133are referred to herein in the singular as a transparent portion 133 forexplanatory purposes. The transparent portion 133 can include an area inwhich no ink has been printed or an area in which ink has been thinly orotherwise applied, such that light is able to transmit through thetransparent portion 133. In some approaches, the transparent portion 133is formed of a material different than remaining portions of therespective layer. It is understood that portions of the first printlayer 109 and/or the second print layer 112 that are not transparent canbe opaque. The combination of the opaque and transparent qualities canbe configured to create a transaction card 100 having a desiredaesthetic appearance.

While the transparent portion 133 is shown in FIG. 3 as being on thefirst print layer 109, it is understood that a transparent portion 133can also be positioned on the second print layer 112. In someapproaches, the transparent portion 133 can be positioned only on thesecond print layer 112. Further, FIG. 3 shows the transparent portion133 as having an ovular shape. It is understood, however, that thetransparent portion 133 can be circular, square, rectangular shaped, orcan be shaped to form numbers, letters, ribbons, banners, and so forth.

The antenna inlay layer 115 can include various antennae disposedthereon, such as a loop antenna 120, or other suitable type of antenna.To facilitate providing a transaction card 100 having a small thickness,the antennae, such as the loop antenna 120, can have a two-dimensionalform factor. To this end, the loop antenna 120 or other antennae can beprovided when copper or other conductive material is arranged in a coilhaving one or more windings disposed at or near an edge of the antennainlay layer 115 within a substrate. The loop antenna 120 can be nestedin the substrate such that the substrate has a generally flat surface.Depending on the desired properties of the first print layer 109 and thesecond print layer 112, it is understood that the loop antenna 120 mayor may not be visible when the transaction card 100 is assembled.

According to various approaches, the light-emitting element 124 can havea two-dimensional form factor, and can be positioned between the antennainlay layer 115 and one of the first print layer 109 and the secondprint layer 112. Additionally, the light-emitting element 124 can bepositioned proximate to the transparent portion 133. While thelight-emitting element 124 can be a separate component from the firstprint layer 109, the second print layer 112, and the antenna inlay layer115, in some embodiments, the light-emitting element 124 can be formedintegral with a respective side of one of the layers such that thelight-emitting element 124 is positioned proximate the transparentportion 133. In various embodiments, the light-emitting element 124 hasa two-dimensional form factor, thereby permitting the transaction card100 to have or satisfy International Organization for Standardization(ISO) standards associated with transaction cards. For instance, thetransaction card 100 can be approximately 85.6 millimeters in width,53.98 mm in height, and 0.76 mm in thickness.

The second laminate overlay layer 121 can include a magnetic stripe 136.The magnetic stripe 136 can include any band of magnetic materialcapable of storing data. Data stored on the magnetic stripe 136 caninclude various information, such as an account number of a paymentaccount associated with the transaction card 100, the expiration date ofthe payment account, a card verification value (CVV) or cardverification code (CSC), a service code, etc.

The transaction card 100 can further include wireless power receivercircuitry (not shown) that can be coupled to the light-emitting element124 and the loop antenna 120. The wireless power receiver circuitry canbe configured to receive a wireless signal via the loop antenna 120 andinduce a voltage across terminals of the light-emitting element 124,thereby causing the light-emitting element 124 to illuminate such thatlight emits through the transparent portion 133.

The processing chip 130 is shown as being placed within a pocket 139 onthe exterior surface of the antenna inlay layer 115. In some approaches,the processing chip 130 can be secured within the pocket 139 using asuitable adhesive. Additionally, in some approaches, and as shown inFIG. 3 , the post-laminate varnish layer 127, the first laminate overlaylayer 118, and/or the first print layer 109 can include windows 142having a size and shape similar to the processing chip 130, such that atop surface of the processing chip 130 can be positioned through thewindows and be flush or nearly flush with a top surface of thepost-laminate varnish layer 127 when the transaction card 100 is fullyassembled.

Further, the loop antenna 120 can be used to provide wirelesscommunications between the processing chip 130 and a contactless paymentterminal or other reader device 106. The loop antenna 120 can also beused to provide power to the processing chip 130 via a wireless signalreceived from the payment terminal. In some approaches, the loop antenna120 can be physically coupled to the processing chip 130, while in otherimplementations, the loop antenna 120 can be inductively coupled to theprocessing chip 130. Although depicted separately from the processingchip 130, in some implementations the loop antenna 120, or a portionthereof, can be included in or integrated within the processing chip130.

The processing chip 130 can represent any integrated circuit chip thatcan be used for securing or processing payments using the transactioncard 100. Examples of processing chips 130 include integrated circuitchips that implement various versions of the Europay, Mastercard, andVISA (EMV) standard for smart payment cards. In some implementations,the processing chip 130 is coupled to the loop antenna 120 to providecontactless payment using near-field communication (NFC), ultrawide band(UWB) or similar low-power, short-range wireless communicationsstandards. However, in other implementations, the processing chip 130can include an integrated antenna.

FIG. 4 depicts a partial exploded view of another example arrangement ofthe transaction card 100. In FIG. 4 , the processing chip 130 is shownas being placed within a pocket 139 on an exterior surface of theantenna inlay layer 115 or other suitable layer. The processing chip 130can be secured within the pocket 139 using any suitable adhesive. Thebottom of the pocket 139 of the antenna inlay layer 115 can have aplurality of holes 145. The loop antenna 120, although shown separatefrom the antenna inlay layer 115, can be embedded within the antennainlay layer 115, or can be positioned on a respective side of theantenna inlay layer 115. In some embodiments, the loop antenna 120 canbe physically coupled to the processing chip 130 by passing wire 158(e.g., a first wire and a second wire 158) through individual ones ofthe holes 145 located at the bottom of the pocket 139. For instance, thefirst wire and second wire 158 can be coupled to terminals of theprocessing chip 130.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of an example arrangement of thetransaction card 100. The transaction card 100 can include wirelesspower receiver circuitry 161 that, in some approaches, can be coupled tothe light-emitting element 124 and the loop antenna 120. The wirelesspower receiver circuitry 161 can be configured to receive a wirelesssignal via the loop antenna 120 and induce a voltage across terminals164 of the light-emitting element 124, thereby causing thelight-emitting element 124 to illuminate and emit light through thetransparent portion 133. The wireless signal, for example, can bereceived when the transaction card 100 is placed with an oscillatingmagnetic field.

In some approaches, the wireless power receiver circuitry 161 includes abridge rectifier 167 that converts an alternating circuit (AC) signalreceived from the loop antenna 120 to a direct current (DC) signal. Assuch, the wireless power receiver circuitry 161 can transmit the DCsignal to the terminals 164 of the light-emitting element 124 which, inother words, induces an electric potential (i.e., a voltage) across theterminals 164 of the light-emitting element 124. In various embodiments,the transaction card 100 is capable of lighting up light-emittingelements of 1 m² to 4 m², such as 1 m², 1.5 m², 2.0 m², 2.5 m², 3.0 m²,3.5 m², and 4.0 m².

The example of FIG. 5 shows the light-emitting element 124 having a sizethat is greater than the transparent portion 133, as well as having asquare or rectangular shape. For instance, the light-emitting element124 can include an OLED panel disposed behind a layer having thetransparent portion 133 such that light emits through the transparentportion 133 when the transaction card 100 receives a sufficient wirelesssignal. While the light-emitting element 124 is square shaped, due tothe transparent portion 133 being ovular shaped, it is understood thatthe illuminating region on the transaction card 100 will be ovular asother portions of the transaction card 100 outside of the transparentportion 133 are opaque. While FIG. 5 shows the light-emitting element124 being aligned with the transparent portion 133, in some approaches,the light-emitting element 124 (e.g., an OLED panel) can be offset at apredetermined (e.g., 45 degrees).

However, in some approaches, the light-emitting element 124 can besmaller than the transparent portion 133. For instance, in approaches inwhich the light-emitting element 124 is a single LED, the single LED canbe positioned in a top right or top left area of the transparent portion133, or in another suitable location. In any event, the transaction card100 can have an illuminating central region or other region, cardnumbers, expiration date, “member since” banner, card owner name, borderregion surrounding the processing chip 130, and so forth.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of the antennae of the transaction card 100shown relative to a light-emitting element 124. The antenna of thetransaction card 100 can include the loop antenna 120 described above,as well as an inductive illumination antenna 170 and a processing chipantenna 173 among other antennae. The processing chip antenna 173 can becoupled to the processing chip 130. The approach shown in FIG. 6includes wire 158 that can be physically or directly coupled to theprocessing chip 130. However, in other approaches, the processing chip130 can be powered via inductive coupling.

The inductive illumination antenna 170 can power the light-emittingelement 124 causing the light-emitting element 124 to illuminate. Tothis end, in some approaches, the loop antenna 120 can be used to powerthe processing chip 130, whereas the inductive illumination antenna 170can be used to power the light-emitting element 124. Other combinationsof antennas and powered elements can be employed. As noted above, thelight-emitting element 124 can include a multitude of light-emittingelements 124. In some approaches, the light-emitting elements 124 of thetransaction card 100 can provide a first light-emitting region 176 a anda second light-emitting region 176 b (collectively “light-emittingregions 176”) formed up of a plurality of micro light-emitting diodes(microLEDs).

In some approaches, the light-emitting regions 176 can be formed on asubstrate by printing a predetermined shape using a diode ink. The diodeink can include a liquid or gel suspension having a dispersion of LEDstherein capable of being printed. Printing the microLEDs on a substrate(e.g., a layer of the transaction card 100) can include screen printing,for example. A density of LEDs in the light-emitting regions 176 can bedetermined based on a concentration of the LEDs in the ink compositionprior to being printed as well as an average number of LEDs resultingwithin the printed area when dried.

The LEDs in the suspension can include semiconductor devices thatilluminate when powered. As such, in some embodiments, thelight-emitting regions 176 can be powered by the inductive illuminationantenna 170. The LEDs in the light-emitting regions 176 can bepositioned between two conductor layers, where at least one of theconductor layers can be transparent such that light is visibly emittedthrough the transparent conductor layer. The LEDs are printed to formthe light-emitting regions 176 and are connected to one another inparallel. The LEDs in the light-emitting regions 176 can be energized byinducing a predetermined voltage across the conductor layers. As such,the inductive illumination antenna 170 can include conductive metal orother material forming a loop that induces a current and an oscillatingmagnetic field to illuminate the microLEDs in the light-emitting regions176 such that a portion of the transaction card 100 illuminates.

Although shown using a coil that induces an oscillating magnetic field,in other approaches, wires can be coupled to the conductor layers toinduce a suitable voltage. In some approaches, the inductiveillumination antenna 170 is coupled to or integral with the loop antenna120 and/or the processing chip antenna 173. The light-emitting regions176 can be positioned behind, proximate, or otherwise relative to thetransparent portion 133 of the transaction card 100. As such, the LEDsilluminate when a suitable voltage is applied to conductor layers of thelight-emitting regions 176.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8 , FIG. 7 depicts a front view of thetransaction card 100 and FIG. 8 depicts a rear view of the transactioncard 100. The light-emitting element 124 of the transaction card 100 caninclude terminals 179 in some approaches. For instance, the terminals179 can include a negative terminal 179 a and a positive terminal 179 b.While the approach shown in FIG. 6 uses inductive coupling, the approachshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the inductive illumination antenna 170being physically or directly coupled to the light-emitting element 124.When the transaction card 100 is positioned in an oscillating magneticfield, the loop antenna 120 induces current in the inductiveillumination antenna 170. When current is inducted in the inductiveillumination antenna 170, a voltage is applied across the terminals 179of the light-emitting element 124.

In some approaches, the light-emitting element 124 includes microLEDspositioned between a first conductive layer 181 a and a secondconductive layer 181 b. The first terminal 179 a is coupled to the firstconductive layer 181 a and the second terminal 179 b is coupled to thesecond conductive layer 181 b, inducing a voltage in the microLEDs.Wires 184 of the inductive illumination antenna 170 can be coupleddirectly to the respective terminals 179.

FIG. 9 depicts various alternative approaches for forming alight-emitting element 124. First, a first light-emitting element 124 ais shown formed up of a single light-emitting region 176 a having a sizeand dimensions the same as a transparent portion 133 of the transactioncard 100. For instance, the transparent portion 133 can have a shape thesame as the light-emitting region 176 a. Second, a second light-emittingelement 124 b is shown formed up of a single light-emitting region 176b, referred to as an oversized light-emitting region 176 as thelight-emitting region can have a size and dimensions slightly greaterthan the transparent portion 133 of the transaction card 100, providingan enhanced illumination effect.

A third light-emitting element 124 c includes two light-emitting regions176 c, 176 d, a fourth light-emitting element 124 d includes threelight-emitting regions 176 e . . . 176 g, a fifth light-emitting element124 e includes four light-emitting regions 176 h . . . 176 k, and soforth. It is understood that the transaction card 100 can include othernumber of light-emitting elements 124 and light-emitting regions 176, ascan be appreciated. Additionally, the light-emitting elements 124 can belocated in various alternative arrangements than those depicted in FIG.9 . The light-emitting regions 176 of the light-emitting element 124 canbe formed by printing diode ink onto a layer of the transaction card 100in accordance with the approaches shown in FIG. 9 .

Moving along to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 depict otherexample arrangements of the transaction card 100. Specifically, FIG. 10shows the transaction card 100 having a light-emitting element circuit182 with a single light-emitting diode 185, whereas FIG. 11 shows thetransaction card 100 having a light-emitting element circuit 182 amultitude of light-emitting diodes 185. The light-emitting elementcircuits 182 of FIGS. 10 and 11 can have a two-dimensional form factorand can be formed integral with the antenna inlay layer 115 (or othersuitable layer). For example, the light-emitting element circuits 182 ofFIGS. 10 and 11 can be etched into the antenna inlay layer 115 withoutadding notable thickness to the respective layer.

Referring specifically to FIG. 11 , an arrangement of light-emittingdiodes 185 is shown for illuminating the ovular-shaped transparentportion 133. For instance, a first row of the light-emitting diodes 185has a single light-emitting diode 185, a second row of thelight-emitting diodes 185 has three light-emitting diodes 185, a thirdrow of the light-emitting diodes 185 has three light-emitting diodes185, and a fourth row of the light-emitting diodes 185 has a singlelight-emitting diode 185. The light-emitting diodes 185 of the secondrow and the third row can be in aligned or offset, where the offsetarrangement is shown in FIG. 11 . Similarly, the light-emitting diodes185 in the first row and the fourth row can be offset or aligned, wherethe aligned arrangement is shown in FIG. 11 . It is understood thatother arrangements of light-emitting diodes 185 can be employeddepending on the shape of the transparent portion 133 or, in otherwords, the shape of the region to be illuminated.

Referring specifically to FIG. 12 , an arrangement of light-emittingdiodes 185 is shown for illuminating a centurion-shaped transparentportion 133. In other words, light-emitting diodes 185 are distributedacross a border or a periphery of a predetermined shape (e.g., acenturion-shape). As such, it is understood that other arrangements oflight-emitting diodes 185 can be employed depending on the shape of thetransparent portion 133 or, in other words, the shape of the region tobe illuminated. In other embodiments, an LED band or other collection oflight-emitting diodes 185 can be distributed along a border or a shapeto be illuminated. In some embodiments, a number of the light-emittingdiodes 185 can be eight, which provides suitable illumination whilehaving sufficient power provided via the inductive illumination antenna170 and/or the loop antenna 120.

FIG. 13 shows another example arrangement of the transaction card 100. Abottom surface and a top surface of the processing chip 130 are shownfor illustration purposes. In the approach shown in FIG. 13 , theantennae of the transaction card 100 include the loop antenna 120 andthe processing chip antenna 173. The processing chip antenna 173inductively couples to an inductive antenna 188 positioned and/orexposed on the bottom surface of the processing chip 130 a, 130 b. Theantenna can further include a distal antenna loop 191 positioned on adistal end of the transaction card 100 opposite that of the processingchip 130 that further facilitates receipt of a wireless signal in anoscillating magnetic field generated by a reader device 106.

Referring next to FIG. 14 , a flowchart 300 is shown that provides anexample of the process for manufacturing a transaction card 100according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although theflowchart of FIG. 14 shows an example sequence of actions, it isunderstood that the order of actions can differ from that which isdepicted. For example, the actions depicted by two or more boxes shownin succession can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence.As another example, the actions depicted by two or more boxes can beperformed in alternative sequences compared to what is depicted.Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the boxes shown in theflowchart of FIG. 14 can be skipped or omitted. It is understood thatall such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Beginning at box 303, the first print layer 109 and the second printlayer 112 can be printed. The first print layer 109 and the second printlayer 112 can be printed such that one of the first print layer 109 andthe second print layer 112 includes a transparent portion 133.Transparent portion 133 can include an area in which no ink has beenprinted or an area in which ink has been thinly or otherwise appliedsuch that light is able to transmit through the transparent portion 133.It is understood that portions of the first print layer 109 and/or thesecond print layer 112 that are not transparent are opaque and block thetransmission of light.

Next, at box 306, the light-emitting element 124 of the transaction card100 can be formed or provided. The light-emitting element 124 as formedor provided can have a two-dimensional form factor where thelight-emitting element 124 does not considerably increase the thicknessof the transaction card 100 as assembled to no longer comply with ISOstandards. In some approaches, the light-emitting elements 124 can beprovided by being printed on a substrate, such as the antenna inlaylayer 115 or other layer, to be positioned between the first print layer109 and the second print layer 112. The printing of the light-emittingelements 124 can include use of a diode ink that include a liquid or gelsuspension having LEDs dispersed therein. Printing the microLEDs on thesubstrate can include screen printing, for example. The printing of thelight-emitting element 124 can be performed to achieve a predeterminedand desirable concentration of LEDs, where the concentration of LEDs canbe determined as a function of the density of the LEDs in the inkcomposition prior to being printed.

In some approaches, providing the light-emitting element 124 can includeforming a substrate having a light-emitting element circuit 182 with oneor more light-emitting diodes 185 therein that is integral with thesubstrate (e.g., the antenna inlay layer 115). The arrangement of thelight-emitting diodes 185 can be determined based on a shape and size ofthe transparent portion 133 and/or the region of the transaction card100 to be illuminated.

In some approaches, forming the light-emitting element 124 can includeforming or otherwise providing an OLED panel and disposing the OLEDpanel on a substrate. In some approaches, the OLED panel is formedintegral with the substrate while, in other approaches, the OLED panelis distinct and separate from the substrate. The substrate described forany of the foregoing approaches can be the antenna inlay layer 115 orother suitable layer to be positioned between the first print layer 109and the second print layer 112.

Thereafter, in box 309, the antenna inlay layer 115 and the antennaethereon can be formed, for instance, by forming the loop antenna 120,the processing chip antenna 173, the distal antenna loop 191, otherdesired antenna, and/or a combination thereof. The antennae can beformed by disposing copper or other conductive material into thearrangements shown in the preceding figures, thereby forming antennaewith a two-dimensional form factor. In some approaches, box 309 isperformed prior to box 306.

In box 312, the light-emitting element 124 and the antenna inlay layer115 can be placed between the first print layer 109 and the second printlayer 112. It is understood that the transparent portion 133 on at leastone of the first print layer 109 and the second print layer 112 can bealigned with the light-emitting element 124 or can be otherwisepositioned relative to the light-emitting element 124 such that lightemitted by the light-emitting element 124 emits through the transparentportion 133.

In some examples, a binding medium can be employed that is depositedusing any number of approaches. For example, a glue or similar adhesivecould be sprayed on each or selective ones of the layers. As anotherexample, an adhesive sheet could be laid between the first print layer109 and the antenna inlay layer 115 and/or between the second printlayer 112 and the antenna inlay layer 115.

In box 315, a first laminate overlay layer 118 can be applied to anoutermost side (or, in other words, a top side) of the first print layer109 and a second laminate overlay layer 121 can be applied to anoutermost side (or, in other words, a bottom side) of the second printlayer 112. In some approaches, prior to doing so, a magnetic stripe 136can be placed on top of the second laminate overlay layer 121 of thetransaction card 100.

In some implementations, the magnetic stripe 131 can be affixed to thesecond laminate overlay layer 121 using an adhesive. In otherimplementations, the magnetic stripe 136 can have an adhesive backing,causing the magnetic stripe 136 to self-adhere when placed in contactwith the second laminate overlay layer 121. In some implementations, theplacement of the magnetic stripe 136 could be omitted (e.g., forembodiments of a transaction card 100 that are not manufactured toinclude the magnetic stripe 136).

Then, at box 318, a processing chip 130 can be affixed to the antennainlay layer 115. For example, an adhesive could be deposited in thepocket 139 of the antenna inlay layer 115. The processing chip 130 couldthen be placed in the pocket 139. The adhesive in the pocket 139 couldthen cause the processing chip 130 to become affixed to the antennainlay layer 115. Thereafter, the process can proceed to completion.

FIG. 15 depicts an example of various sheets used in the manufacturingprocess described by the flowchart of FIG. 14 . As shown, a first sheetcan include multiple ones of the first print layer 109, the second printlayer 112, the antenna inlay layer 115, the post-laminate varnish layer127 (e.g., a front laminate), the second laminate overlay layer 121(e.g., a rear laminate and magnetic stripe 136), and so forth. In otherwords, the sheets can be formed to provide multiple ones of the layersprior to being cut and assembled.

After the sheets for the respective layers are formed, the sheets arecollated, alignment of the sheets is registered, and the sheets aretacked together. Notably, alignment of the sheets can be important dueto the antennae of the antenna inlay layer 115 being milled, providingtight tolerances of 0.5 mm or less. Once the various layers are stackedtogether, the layers can be spot welded together for lamination.

The features, structures, or characteristics described above can becombined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner, and thefeatures discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable, ifpossible. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided in order to fully understand the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe technical solution of the present disclosure can be practicedwithout one or more of the specific details, or other methods,components, materials, and the like can be employed. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Although the relative terms such as “on,” “below,” “upper,” and “lower”are used in the specification to describe the relative relationship ofone component to another component, these terms are used in thisspecification for convenience only, for example, as a direction in anexample shown in the drawings. It should be understood that if thedevice is turned upside down, the “upper” component described above willbecome a “lower” component. When a structure is “on” another structure,it is possible that the structure is integrally formed on anotherstructure, or that the structure is “directly” disposed on anotherstructure, or that the structure is “indirectly” disposed on the otherstructure through other structures.

In this specification, the terms such as “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said”are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements andcomponents. The terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” “contain,” andtheir variants are used to be open ended, and are meant to includeadditional elements, components, etc., in addition to the listedelements, components, etc. unless otherwise specified in the appendedclaims. If a component is described as having “one or more” of thecomponent, it is understood that the component can be referred to as “atleast one” component.

The terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used only as descriptive labels,rather than a limitation for a number of the objects. It is understoodthat if multiple components are shown, the components can be referred toas a “first” component, a “second” component, and so forth, to theextent applicable.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., can beeither X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X; Y; Z; X or Y; Xor Z; Y or Z; X, Y, or Z; etc.). Thus, such disjunctive language is notgenerally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodimentsrequire at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z toeach be present.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations setforth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-describedembodiments without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

1. A transaction card, comprising: a first print layer and a secondprint layer, at least one of the first print layer and the second printlayer having a transparent portion through which light transmits; anantenna inlay layer having a loop antenna disposed thereon; alight-emitting element having a two-dimensional form factor positionedbetween the antenna inlay layer and one of the first print layer and thesecond print layer, the light-emitting element being positionedproximate to the transparent portion; and wireless power receivercircuitry coupled to the light-emitting element and the loop antenna,the wireless power circuitry being configured to receive a wirelesssignal via the loop antenna and induce a voltage across terminals of thelight-emitting element, causing the light-emitting element to illuminateand emit light through the transparent portion.
 2. The transaction cardof claim 1, wherein the wireless power receiver circuitry comprises abridge rectifier that converts an alternating circuit (AC) signalreceived from the loop antenna to a direct current (DC) signal, andprovides the DC signal to the terminals of the light-emitting element.3. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting elementis one of: a single light-emitting diode (LED); a plurality oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs); and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)panel.
 4. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the light-emittingelement is a printed micro light-emitting diode (microLED), and theprinted microLED is formed of an ink slurry having a plurality oflight-emitting elements disposed therein.
 5. The transaction card ofclaim 1, wherein: the light-emitting element comprises a firstlight-emitting region and a second light-emitting region; the firstlight-emitting region comprises a first plurality of printed microlight-emitting diode (microLEDs); and the second light-emitting regioncomprises a second plurality of printed microLEDs, the second pluralityof printed microLEDs being separate from and independent of the firstprinted plurality of microLEDs.
 6. The transaction card of claim 1,further comprising: a first laminate overlay layer being transparent;and a second laminate overlay layer being transparent, the secondlaminate overlay layer comprising a magnetic stripe; wherein the firstprint layer, the antenna inlay layer, and the second print layer aresequentially disposed between the first laminate overlay layer and thesecond laminate overlay layer.
 7. A transaction card, comprising: aprint layer having a transparent portion through which light transmitsand an opaque portion; a light-emitting element being positionedproximate to the transparent portion of the print layer; an antennainlay layer having an antenna; and wireless power receiver circuitrycoupled to the light-emitting element and the antenna, the wirelesspower circuitry being configured to receive a wireless signal via theantenna and induce a voltage across terminals of the light-emittingelement, causing the light-emitting element to illuminate and emit lightthrough the transparent portion.
 8. The transaction card of claim 7,wherein the light-emitting element comprises a light-emitting regionhaving a plurality of micro light-emitting diodes (microLEDs) disposedtherein.
 9. The transaction card of claim 8, wherein: the light-emittingregion is one of a plurality of light-emitting regions having theplurality of microLEDs disposed therein; and individual ones of thelight-emitting regions are positioned relative to a first conductivelayer and a second conductive layer.
 10. The transaction card of claim9, wherein: the antenna is a loop antenna; and the transaction cardcomprises an inductive illumination antenna that induces a currentthrough the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer thatcauses the plurality of microLEDs in the light-emitting regions toilluminate.
 11. The transaction card of claim 7, wherein thelight-emitting element is a light-emitting diode (LED) formed integralwith the antenna inlay layer.
 12. The transaction card of claim 11,wherein the light-emitting diode (LED) is one of a plurality oflight-emitting diodes in a predetermined arrangement.
 13. Thetransaction card of claim 7, wherein: the antenna is a loop antenna; andthe transaction card further comprises an inductive illumination antennainductively coupled to the light-emitting element, the inductiveillumination antenna configured to induce the voltage across terminalsof the light-emitting element, causing the light-emitting element toilluminate.
 14. The transaction card of claim 13, further comprising: aprocessing chip; and a processing chip antenna inductively coupled tothe processing chip configured to induce a voltage across terminals ofthe processing chip.
 15. A method, comprising: forming a first printlayer and a second print layer, wherein at least one of the first printlayer and the second print layer comprises a transparent portion;providing a light-emitting element having a two-dimensional form factor;forming an antenna inlay layer having an antenna disposed thereon; andplacing the light-emitting element and the antenna inlay layer betweenthe first print layer and the second print layer such that thelight-emitting element is positioned proximate to the transparentportion.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: applying atleast one laminate overlay layer to at least one of the first printlayer and the second print layer; and affixing a processing chip to theantenna inlay layer.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprisinginducing a voltage across terminals of the light-emitting element thatcause the light-emitting element to illuminate.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein providing the light-emitting element comprises printing thelight-emitting element using a diode ink having a plurality oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) dispersed therein.
 19. The method of claim15, wherein providing the light-emitting element comprises forming atleast one light-emitting diode (LED) integral with the antenna inlaylayer.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: providing a firstlaminate overlay layer being transparent; providing a second laminateoverlay layer being transparent, the second laminate overlay layercomprising a magnetic stripe; and sequentially disposing the first printlayer, the antenna inlay layer, and the second print layer between thefirst laminate overlay layer and the second laminate overlay layer.